Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

ZURA

I wash off as quickly as my sore body will allow and try to focus on what I need to do instead of what I feel like doing. Thankfully , after getting her belly stuffed, Rosad laid down on the bed and went right to sleep. Her questions lay heavily on my thoughts. I sit on the edge of the bed staring down at her, slowly combing her hair away from her innocent face. I have no idea how old she is, but it can't be more than five or six Orbital rotations. At no point in my life did I see myself having younglings. However , this simply shows you that the Lord of Light has a plan and how the blocks will fall in place as he sees it.

I am sitting here staring out at the destruction all around when I hear a soft knock on my door. Limping , I make my way over and open it hesitantly. Priestess Murga is standing there with three males. " Princess Zura , I have done as you requested. I will stay with the youngling while you four talk."

" Very well. Males , if you would step inside. I need to speak to you in complete confidence."

" Princess , is it smart to talk in front of the youngling?" Murga asks.

" There will be no secrets between us. One rising, that female will rule in my place and I want no barriers between us when that time comes."

Murga nods as they all walk into my room. Shutting the door behind them, I stand as tall as my sore leg will allow it. " Males , I don't know what you have been told so far. I need you to understand that the quest I am about to send you on will not only put your lives in great danger, but it might cost you them if you're caught. Do you understand?" They all nod. " Lagduf , I am not shocked to see you here, or you Azog , but Kraga . You always seemed to play by the rules."

Azog speaks before the male has a chance to answer. " Princess , I can vouch for him."

" Azog , I appreciate it, but can the male not speak for himself?"

" I am yours to command, Princess . For undisclosed reasons, I have consistently adhered to the rules, but I promise you solemnly, to you and the future of our people, I pledge my life."

" Kraga , let's hope it doesn't come to that. Azog , you have been my captain for as long as I can recall. I will need your knowledge and skills if this is to be a success. None of you know this small fact, but the Sacred Waters are not only contained in the lake outside, but there is also a small stream that flows directly under the fortress. The stream is not large, but it should provide us with what we need and also it gives us the means to hide what is going on, at least in the beginning. Once we have a plan in place, I will show you the entrance to its tunnel. All you need to do is follow it along, and it will lead you to it.

" As you all are well aware, our people are dying. Many of them are beneath this very roof. That is no longer acceptable, and we are going to change it. I have prayed. I have cried, and I have been lost, but at no point have my thoughts changed. So , males, this is what I ask of you. I would never willingly put you all in danger, but I am only one person. Second , many eyes fall upon me when I am among others, so I can't hide anything. Third , there is another whose life is precious to me that needs to be saved. I only have a limited amount of time to get a message out to DaR . That's where you all come in since I can't be in two places at once. Are you still with me?"

They all nod yes.

" I want you to take barrels below and fill them with the Sacred Waters . This process would have been faster if you were able to do it outside the wall, but too many eyes would notice what you were up to and try to stop you. Your job is to save as many as possible before it gets noticed what you're doing.

" Mother always takes her final meal before darkness settles. She seldom comes back out of her inner chambers until the next rising. It should be safe to proceed quickly without her or the other priestesses suspecting anything. Once you have brought the barrels to the surface, put it in smaller, more manageable containers and go to the healing chambers, treating a few at a time. Start with the worst first, they will be in a separate room from the others.

" If you are questioned, act as if you are searching or helping with the wounded. Give the injured the water and heal their bodies. Try to be discreet as you can, so even they don't know what you're doing. The last thing we need is one of the elder Orcs to refuse to drink and cause a scene. I don't care how you go about it, simply see that it is done. Once the Sacred Waters have healed them enough to leave, get them out of here as quickly as possible. The barracks are still standing, take them there if there is no other option. Find ways to keep this hidden as long as possible."

They all turn to leave and I stop Azog before he opens the door. " Can I speak with you for a moment, Azog ?" He motions for the others to go on without him. He stands before me, his own skin lined in burns and I can see the fatigue upon his features.

" Where is OrO ?"

" Shockingly enough, I left him unattended at the barracks in his room. He gave me his word that he would remain."

" I can't let him die, Azog , I have to find a way to stop this madness. Mother will not listen to reason, but she will have to listen to DaR . Is there any place still operational that you think I could get a signal out?"

" Zura , there is a guard station that, as far as I know, should still be operational in the outer quadrant. However , it is quite a distance from here. I am not sure in your present condition you could make it there and back this darkness."

" I don't have a choice, Azog . Write down the coordinates for me. Even if I collapse, I will make sure to see this done."

" Princess , let me go in your place."

" I would, Azog , but I am not sure SCOUT will respond to you as quickly as he would me. My personal comm should connect straight to his system if I can get an open signal. If I am not back by next rising, please delay the execution as long as you can. If I am successful, it will still take DaR at least half a rising to get here. We must make haste. Let me open the tunnel so your quest can begin. I have no more time to linger."